FORT ASSINNIBOINE MARKSMANSHIP AWARD RIFLE

This U.S. Springfield Marksmanship Award Rifle is in the Tom Trevor collection. The rifle is a Model 1873 (SN 107571) with the following standard features: short wrist stock, 1873 on the lock plate, standard trigger and a Type II hammer (fine knurl and no lip). The gun retains most of its blue and some of its case color. It does not have a cartouche or circled P, which is logical since the stock would have been reserved for a presentation piece, and not for regular issue. The unusual features of the rifle are the presentation stock, the German silver plaque and the very early Type I M79 rear sight without the B (battle position) on the base. Burl wood stocks are not found on early service rifles, just presentation, sporting and M75 rifles. This one is not only made of burl wood, it has a circular grain pattern that is most noticeable in the stock wrist. This is the second stock I have seen with this grain style. The 1 3/8" high Union shield reads, First Prize/Ft./Assinieoine/1880/Army Marksmanship. The crude engraving was probably done by someone at the fort. There is some question if the fort's name was spelled incorrectly or if this is one of the early spellings. Fort Assinniboine (1879-1911) was constructed in 1879 and was considered the largest post in Montana. Today, only a few of its original buildings remain at the U.S. Agricultural Exp. Station near Havre, Montana.